Need help choosing a petrol "strimmer" for allotments

[john9159]

At my allotments are several areas where weeds proliferate. Among these are grasses, nettles, dock and scores of other weeds.
I'm looking to buy a strimmer or brush cutter as they are sometimes referred to.
I think around £100 will cover it as usage will only be occasional.
I'd be obliged if someone could offer advise as I'm uncertain about whether it should be 2 or 4 stroke (I know these are more expensive), what cc it should be, straight or bent shaft etc.

Thanks for reading

 

[Burnerman]

Can you stretch the budget a bit?
First, straight shaft machines can have a brushcutter attachment (circular saw blade) bent shaft machines are just strimmers. This may be of use to you.
A machine which will start in three pulls, every time is the Honda UMK 4 stroke. Thoroughly recommended!
John

 

[Nige F]

I'd be obliged if someone could offer advise as I'm uncertain about whether it should be 2 or 4 stroke

Thanks for reading

The 2 stroke engine is a device of the Devil - the smaller they are the worse they get.

 

[Burnerman]

I have to agree with that one.....a starting technique is definitely needed which most folks just don't have with a two stroke - especially after a couple of years.
Four strokes are recommended, if one is available for that price! Less pollution too.
John

 

[Nigel_Cro]

After a couple of disasters (who mentioned McCulloch, certainly not me!) a couple of years ago I took advice and bought a Stihl FS40.

This is it's third season and it is still as good as new. Spend some time keeping it clean, always use good oil and petrol additives and at the end of every season drain the tank then run it dry before you put it away.

 

[Burnerman]

Yep, an excellent bit of kit with good fuel and air filtering.
I bet there are hundreds of B&Q strimmers festering away in sheds - may of which make their way to me! Aspen fuel or equivalent is an excellent choice for rarely used machines.
John

 

[DaveHerns]

We have a McCulloch strimmer made in 1994 at my mum's house, strimmer was acquired as a non runner and needed a carb rebuild kit. I have a Qualcast 2 stroke strimmer bought in 2011 , only needed a new plug and a bit of fuel line. Don't knock the cheap stuff! I'm wondering what these 52cc strimmer/multitools for around £100 on EBay are like?